I was just looking around here and couldn't help but notice that everybody has the same question: how do I get more sleep? So rather than respond to you all I thought I'd start another thread with my experience. Certainly won't apply to all but I'll throw it out there for your consideration.
My ds slept with us from birth. It worked really well for all of us when he was a baby but once he hit about 12 mos. he seemed to sleep less and less soundly. He would sleep like a rock for 2x 3 hour naps during the day but at night he tossed and turned. And because he couldn't sleep I couldn't sleep so I was tossing and turning, too. All this activity kept dh awake too. I couldn't bring myself to move him out of our bed so when ds was about 18mos DH took matters into his own hands and put him to bed in his own bed (he achieved this with a bottle, I always nursed him down). I don't remember the exact details but we all slept better and it was a painless experience for all of us. Actually I do remember it was hard on me for a few nights - I kept listening for him, he seemed so far away! Now he gets up and trots down the hall to sleep in our bed or calls me and I go sleep in his bed sometimes but at least by that point I have had a good 5-6 hours of sleep.
So think about it: are you and dear baby keeping each other awake? Maybe the frequent nursing is just baby trying to get back to sleep. You don't have to move dear baby to another room like we did but maybe a mattress next to yours would give you both some more space.
I know this won't apply to everybody but I hope it helps somebody.
My ds slept with us from birth. It worked really well for all of us when he was a baby but once he hit about 12 mos. he seemed to sleep less and less soundly. He would sleep like a rock for 2x 3 hour naps during the day but at night he tossed and turned. And because he couldn't sleep I couldn't sleep so I was tossing and turning, too. All this activity kept dh awake too. I couldn't bring myself to move him out of our bed so when ds was about 18mos DH took matters into his own hands and put him to bed in his own bed (he achieved this with a bottle, I always nursed him down). I don't remember the exact details but we all slept better and it was a painless experience for all of us. Actually I do remember it was hard on me for a few nights - I kept listening for him, he seemed so far away! Now he gets up and trots down the hall to sleep in our bed or calls me and I go sleep in his bed sometimes but at least by that point I have had a good 5-6 hours of sleep.
So think about it: are you and dear baby keeping each other awake? Maybe the frequent nursing is just baby trying to get back to sleep. You don't have to move dear baby to another room like we did but maybe a mattress next to yours would give you both some more space.
I know this won't apply to everybody but I hope it helps somebody.
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